Hamilton Male Athlete of the Week: Tyler Beers

In this file photo, Hopewell Valley's Brendan Murphy (left) wrestles Steinert's Tyler Beers in the 120-pound class at Hopewell on Monday, Feb 6, 2012. Beers won the bout 6-2. Martin Griff / The Times of Trenton

HAMILTON — Some seeds take a little longer to sprout. The one that Seth Beers planted in his son’s mind took years.

However, it has taken root and grown to an admirable degree.

“My dad asked me every year since I was in elementary school if I wanted to give wrestling a try,” Steinert High School senior Tyler Beers said. “I always said no.”

One year, however, Tyler answered the question before it was asked.

“I went to my dad and said ‘I want to wrestle,’ ” said Beers, referring to a decision he made in middle school. “He was glad. He said ‘I’ll sign you up.’ ”

Beers’ wrestling career blossomed to the point where he is a co-captain of the Spartans.

His efforts in a modest win streak have earned him Times’ Hamilton Athlete of the Week recognition.

“He went two-and-oh on Saturday against Bordentown and Trenton,” said Steinert wrestling coach Adam Jankos referring to Beers who pinned both of his competitors in the 126-pound weight class.

Beers, who took an 8-2 record into yesterday’s competition with Robbinsville, also put some points up for Steinert with a decision in the 132-pound class in a victory over Hightstown Jan. 2. He admits he “kinda expected one more win and one less loss” as of Tuesday. His setbacks are to highly respected opponents from Hopewell Valley and Brick Memorial.

Beers says his father was a schoolboy wrestler when he was growing up in Bucks County, Pa. The son welcomes his father’s thoughts on mat matters.

“He does give me advice sometimes, and he always gives me a little pep talk before I wrestle,” Beers said.

Beers, who played football until third grade, then focused on baseball for a while, found his new niche in wrestling.

“After every season, I go to clubs (to wrestle) and I run and I lift (weights),” Beers said.
He takes his role as a captain seriously.

“I was hoping I would be selected (in a vote by the members of the team),” Beers said. “I was hoping that (his co-captain) would also be selected. And we did. I felt that we would be good captains.”

Like many athletes, especially wrestlers, he is keenly aware of nutrition. If cereal companies ever need a spokesperson, Beers would be a good choice.

Beers, who is contemplating a career in medicine, is an “A’s and B’s” student who favors math and science.

“I’d like to work in the medical field,” Beer said. “I’m leaning toward being a doctor, probably a pediatrician.”

He’d also consider being a general practitioner or a physical therapist.
He does have a small regret or two regarding wrestling.

“I do wish I started earlier,” Beers said.

Depending on where he goes to college and what direction his career path takes him, he may not wrestle post-high school.

His idea is one that comes with automatic parental approval. He wants to wrestle as well as he can for as long as he can.